Erwin Haaksma

Erwin J. Haaksma, age 91, passed from this life into the loving arms of his Lord with family at his side on November 29, 2012. He was a decorated WWII veteran serving in the Army in the Philippines. He worked for Herpolsheimer's Department Store, retiring in 1986. In retirement, he enjoyed working in landscaping with DeHamer Bros. Landscaping, fishing with his grandchildren, and was a sports enthusiast, especially rooting for his favorite team, the Detroit Tigers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Koole) Haaksma; his first wife, Phyllis Haaksma; and her parents, Jacob and Lois Dekker; and his three brothers, Anthony, Marshall and John Haaksma. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Janet Haaksma (Vredvelt) of 37 years; his sons, Richard (Dorothy) Haaksma, Michael Haaksma; step-sons, David (Debbie) DeHamer, and Daniel (Ruth) DeHamer; 11 grandchildren, Camela (Michael) Westhuis, Cara (Issaac) Coleman, Kimberly (Lorenzo) Mosley, Kevin (Whitney) Haaksma, Sarah (Walter) Bobeldyke, Rebekah DeHamer, Esther (Wade) Vugteveen, Nate DeHamer, Alyssa (Joel) Olson, Ashley Passmore (DeHamer), and Ben DeHamer, John Valk; and 25 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Dorothy Haaksma; brothers-in-law, Gerald Vredvelt; and friend, Lygia; nephew, David (Linda Gayle) Nederveld, Linda and Raul Miyares and Roger Nederveld; nephews, Gerald (Carol) Vredvelt, Kirk (Marie) Vredvelt; and many friends. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, December 3 at the Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St., S.W. (East building), with Pastor Todd Kinde officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, December 2 at the Cook Funeral Home in Grandville (West building). The family welcomes memories and messages in their guestbook online at www.cookcares.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Metro Health Hospital Foundation or Faith Hospice Trillium Woods of Byron Center.